PROCEEDINGS OF THE FARMERS' CLUB. 299 



quantity, but that the larger amount of yielH was accompanied by a less 

 proportion of poor corn. But not to be tedious, I will close with a descrip- 

 tion of the mode of preparation and application. First, I sift through a 

 coarse sieve, measure and spread evenly upon the barn floor, the requisite 

 quantity of leached ashes for the field, to be dressed at the rate of two 

 bushels per acre. On the top of this I spread, as evenly as may be, at the 

 rate of one bushel of gypsum (plaster) per acre; on top of all, at the rate 

 of half a bushel of common salt per acre, carefully mashing the lumps so 

 as to facilitate mixing; then with hoes, shovels and rakes the whole is 

 thoroughly incorporated, so as to produce a homogeneous mass. The mix- 

 ture should be applied soon after preparation, so that in the resultant che- 

 mical action the gas evolved may be carried by the dews and rains into 

 the soil for appropriation by the sprouting corn. As will be seen, this 

 allowed three and a half bushels of the compost per acre — about an ordi- 

 nary salt barrel full. It is applied with the hand, from a pail or other con- 

 venient vessel, a small hand or about a heaping tablespoonful, directly on 

 top of the hill. One man or boy can apply it as fast as six can plant. By 

 spatting the hill with the hoe on covering the corn, the operation of dress- 

 ing will be facilitated. The effect is manifest from the first appearance of 

 the blade above ground, in the rich, dark-green color and rapid growth, 

 and is more marked in dry seasons than in wet. 



Mr. W. S. Carpenter. — I am well pleased with this letter, as it fully agrees 

 with my own experience, although I greatly prefer unleached ashes, and 

 "would always apply them upon the surface. 



Dr. Ward. — I have always doubted whether leached ashes possessed any 

 value of consequence. There is very little potash left in those used by the 

 soap boiler. I have used unleached ashes to great advantage; so I have 

 plaster and salt. 



Mr, R, H, Williams, said his experience was in favor of using ashes in the 

 hill instead of on the surface. 



Mr. W, S. Carpenter replied that he had seen corn crops much injured by 

 putting ashes in the hill, but when used on the surface they never fail to 

 greatly benefit the corn. 



Soap-Makers' Waste — Its Value. 



Mr. Robert Cushman, Pawtucket, R. I., writes a letter of inquiry about the 

 value of the waste of soap manufactories, consisting of ashes, soda ash, 

 sal-soda, potash, and the lean-meat refuse of the grease, together with 

 bones, &c., and lime used with the soda. He says : 



"All the waste (except the wood-ashes, which are deposited by them- 

 selves, and whose value is fully appreciated), spent leys, lime, dissolved 

 lean meat, some softened bones, &c., is thrown into a pile for sale. The 

 question is, What is its value ? There is strength enough in it to soften 

 bones, or take off the hoofs of hogs running upon it. Is it such soap- 

 makers' refuse as this that Professor Mapes speaks of as being compara- 

 tively valueless ? Most of us think it very strong manure — properly used, 

 a good fertilizer. We would like the opinion of the Club. As the estab- 

 lishment is new, we have not had an opportunity to test it long. The most 

 liquid portion of it is kept from running away from the heap by a wall of 



